Chapter 8, Avoid at all costs

"No need, I will take a taxi." Mi Yu really left, and indeed did not wait for her. Xi Shuo Liang also said he had something to do in the evening and could not pick her up. An Yi Ruo waited for a long time but still could not get a taxi, stubbornly holding her ground.

It is already difficult to hail a taxi here, especially at this time. Mu Yan explained good-naturedly, and seeing that she did not move, he commanded, "Get in the car!"

Tan Ziyue smiled lightly, showing no intention of explaining. She glanced at Mu Yan and said with a hint of impatience: "Is it done, Captain Mu? Can I leave now? I still have things to attend to."

"Do you need me to give you a ride?" he asked

What is it? Mu Yan organized the documents in his hand and handed them to Da Li, who had just entered after knocking on the door. After standing by the door and giving a few instructions, he then asked, "Is there something you need?"

"Do you know?" An Yiruo said in surprise, "How could you know?" She glared at Mu Yan, as if he had let the cat out of the bag

An Yiruo was momentarily taken aback, but suddenly understood what he was saying. She smiled and said, "I don't need it either, I gave it to Mi Yu, she occasionally goes to the gym."

Why are you so stubborn? It is currently rush hour, and traffic congestion is likely to occur. An Yiruo took advantage of the moment when she was fastening her seatbelt to remind him irritably. Not only had an entire afternoon been wasted, but she also couldn't get a taxi to go home, which naturally put her in a bad mood

Mu Yan pursed her lips, stubbornly refusing to move as if she were in a contest of wills. This provoked the car behind to honk its horn twice more. An Yi Ruo and she exchanged glances, staring at each other for a long time, and when the horn sounded for the third time, they had no choice but to get into the car. This person is even more stubborn than she is.

Mu Yan noticed her cheeks were slightly flushed and instinctively touched his own face. He said, "Although she doesn't seem tall, her strength is quite impressive."

An Yiruo smiled, "It's just like you and the *picture* book now, every time you speak, it seems so simple as if you are too lazy to talk to anyone."

Watching Tan Ziyue disappear at the stairway, Mu Yan's brows furrowed slightly, "No, he is just like that."

"Whether he comes or not." Tan Ziyue glared at him, took a few steps, then stopped, looking at An Yiruo, "Has that card not been used yet?"

"Mi Yu!" An Yiruo's face darkened as she sternly stopped her from continuing. This reckless woman, did she not think she was embarrassing enough? Did she want the whole world to know that she had been kissed by Mu Yan before she would be satisfied?

"What are you doing? I'll hit you." Mi Yu glared at him, her voice involuntarily rising, "Don't you know what you've done? It's a shame you're a police officer; turns out you're a pervert." Her wrist was firmly held by him, and after struggling twice without breaking free, she gritted her teeth and said, "Let go!"

Do you have time in the evening? I would like to treat you to a meal as an apology

Closing the materials in hand and looking at An Yiruo, who frequently checked the time, he asked: "Is my phone number saved?"

Is it that all of you police officers speak like this? An Yiruo realized that her stubbornness was no match for his, and she no longer insisted on arguing, allowing him to take her in the direction of the hospital

An Yiruo let out a sound, "Can we leave now?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? I, the young lady, do not have the time to waste with you here in America." She shot him a fierce glance and threatened, "I warn you to behave yourself and not to touch what you shouldn't touch." After saying this, she turned and left.

"Are you really going to leave me here?" Mu Yan replied with a sense of loyalty, putting on his headphones to answer the call. His voice was low and respectful: "Hello, Secretary Chen, this is Mu Yan. My father is looking for me? Is he in another meeting now? Alright, I understand. I will call him back in half an hour. It's fine, I'm not injured, thank you for your concern. Okay, yes, I will be careful, goodbye." After hanging up the phone, he checked the time and then turned to An Yiruo, asking, "How is your injury?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Yan instantly understood something, his expression turning serious as he released his grip, his voice cold: "Let’s discuss this after the record is completed; this is the office."

Tan Ziyue raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes. After a moment, she spoke: "I know you are not a rice fish."

"What are you busy with?" Mu Yan shot him an annoyed glance and pushed the record in front of him, "Take a careful look to see if anything has been missed."

An Yiruo pouted her lips, reluctantly saving his number. When she entered his name, her eyes rolled playfully, and she stuck out her tongue, laughing mischievously.

An Yiruo was worried that Mi Yu would drive recklessly in a moment of impulse, feeling somewhat troubled, but then she heard him say: "I was rude last time, and I haven't had the chance to apologize to you in person. If it weren't for the circumstances, I wouldn't have..."

Are we very familiar with each other? The implication is that one finds the other to be meddlesome

An Yiruo tilted her head to look towards the roadside, yet still did not see the shadow of a taxi. Just then, a car emerged from the parking lot, but Mu Yan's vehicle was blocking the way, preventing others from passing. After waiting for a short while without any movement from him, she honked the horn to urge him.

Mu Yan scratched his head, his face inexplicably flushed, "Um, I really felt bad about last time, during the execution of the task... please don't take it to heart." For some reason, as soon as the words left his mouth, he felt a bit uncomfortable inside.

Where is it like?

What are you doing? Mu Yan reacted quickly, raising his hand to block the slap coming from Mi Yu, and coldly questioned her. This woman changes her attitude faster than flipping a book; just a moment ago, she was smiling like a spring breeze, and in the blink of an eye, she turned hostile. Without even knocking, she barged into his office and reached out to hit him in the face. Aside from a certain woman, no one has ever hit him. No matter how good his self-control is, he could not contain the sudden surge of anger, which was simply inexplicable

Upon hearing him mention the previous incident, An Yiruo replied awkwardly, "I have long forgotten it"

"You should leave quickly, don't block the way." An Yiruo was determined not to approach, waving her hand to send him away. It was not that she held any prejudice against him, but rather that she felt awkward.

What? Mu Yan was taken aback, seeing her staring at his signature, he smiled faintly, "I'm not a celebrity, what is there to design!" The implication was that his own creativity carried a hint of childlike pride.

Mu Yan concealed her ever-changing expressions in her eyes, a faint smile curving at the corners of her mouth. As she stood up, she said to Tan Ziyue: "Don't you have something to attend to? Why aren't you leaving?"

"Once you're done using it, just kick it aside? What a heartless fellow." Tan Ziyue did not miss An Yiruo's little movements, and he looked up at Mu Yan with a playful smile, asking, "Do you have time tonight?"

An Yiruo rolled her eyes, just about to tease him a bit, when her phone rang. Recognizing the different ringtone, she smiled broadly, "Thank you, Captain Mu, for your kind intentions, but there's no need for your trouble, I'm leaving now." As she walked downstairs, she answered the call: "Shuo Liang—"

Tan Ziyue focused his mind, carefully read through the document from beginning to end, and only signed after confirming that nothing was overlooked

Tan Ziyue made a sound of acknowledgment and after a moment of thought said, "But that is a gift for you." Seeing his serious expression, An Yiruo felt somewhat awkward and smiled as she explained, "I don't really like indoor workouts; it feels like a waste.

He honked the horn, rolled down the car window, and said, "Get in, I'll give you a ride"

A group of brothers gathered, shall we meet up tonight? Tan Ziyue had just returned from out of town when he was 'captured' to take a statement. On the way, he made plans with the guys to drink together in the evening, and of course, Mu Yan could not be left out

Tan Ziyue shrugged nonchalantly and turned to leave, leaving An Yiruo completely baffled, "What is this about? Is he angry?"

"Still talking nonsense." Mi Yu scolded, "Have you been made foolish by affection, he..."

An Yiruo glared at him: "If this is considered talking too much, then I would become a chatterbox."

"If apologies are useful, then what do we need the police for!" An Yiruo retorted, seeing his expression sincere. After some thought, she casually said, "You can invite me again once the case is solved. I was inexplicably dragged into this and scared half to death, so consider this a way to calm my nerves." Noticing he was about to respond, she quickly added, "Let's not bring up the previous matter again, alright? That slap was already an apology; do you expect me to invite you again for that one slap?"

Hearing the door close with a "pop" sound, Mu Yan furrowed her brows, relaxed her grip, and said, "You, wait a moment before leaving." The official business was not yet completed, so she could not leave.

"Change the dressing?" he asked succinctly. Seeing her nod, he turned the steering wheel and changed the direction of the car

An Yiruo was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and raised her arm, saying, "It's nothing serious." Suddenly recalling something, she pressed her forehead and added, "You stop the car ahead; I will take the subway to the hospital."

Mu Yan did not speak again, following her down the stairs. In the office lobby, he was busy for a long time. After work, when he came out of the parking lot, he saw An Yiruo still standing downstairs

"Alright, I understand," An Yiruo interrupted him, withdrawing her hand and looking at the silent Tan Ziyue. "If you think it is necessary, I will explain it to you later."

Mu Yan was not angry; he gazed into her eyes and smiled, saying, "What do you think?"

An Yiruo shook her head, watching as he took out his phone and pressed the shortcut key, followed by a notification sound from her phone

Save it. Like someone who is unwilling to engage in idle chatter, Mu Yan values words as if they were gold

"Miyu?" An Yiruo wanted to grab her, but in the moment she turned sideways, her arm was pulled by someone. She looked back and said, "Hmm?"

Mu Yan frowned, "I thought you found me too talkative."

If you think of anything else, feel free to let me know. Mu Yan signed his name with a flourish. An Yiruo tilted her head and, seeing his signature was quite elegant, pursed her lips and glanced at it a couple more times, curiously asking: "Did you have someone design it?"

What further instructions do you have, Captain Mu?" Turning to look at him, An Yiruo asked, raising her chin

"There is a strict crackdown now, so be careful." Mu Yan said expressionlessly, signaling An Yiruo that she could leave. He locked the office door and walked beside her

An Yiruo looked at his back and snorted, thinking that these two men were truly despicable. Clearly, they were very familiar with each other, yet they denied it in unison. Anger surged within her, and she quickly walked in front of him, preparing to leave, but he called out to her: "An Yiruo!"

"Mi Yu!" An Yiruo hurriedly followed in, seeing Mu Yan gripping her wrist without any intention of letting go. She quickly walked over to pry his hand away, "Hurry and let go, you might hurt her." Then she turned her head to comfort Mi Yu, "Calm down, let's talk it out properly."